02 explorer front end/steering issue
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 43
From: maryland
02 explorer front end/steering issue
02 limited v8 with 150k. VERY hard to steer issue. I jacked it up and tried to turn the tires by hand and it feels super notchy/draggy to get it to rotate to full lock in either direction. fluid was full. I flushed the fluid and replaces and tried to grease the rack and shaft.......
I noticed the balljoint rubbers were torn and when I spun the tires they didn't seem to roll free but I cant figure out what the main issue is with the steering.
could the rack itself jest be bad? the pump doesn't whine but maybe it is just weak/bad?
how to troubleshoot this?
I noticed the balljoint rubbers were torn and when I spun the tires they didn't seem to roll free but I cant figure out what the main issue is with the steering.
could the rack itself jest be bad? the pump doesn't whine but maybe it is just weak/bad?
how to troubleshoot this?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,817
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
If the Explorer is a 4WD/AWD version then the wheels certainly won't spin freely. But even the 2WD models will not spin very freely due to the slight drag of the brake pads on the rotors.
What I'd suggest you try next is to release the outer tie rod ends from the spindles, then try the experiment of turning the steering with the truck running to see if it is smooth and easy that way. If so, then try steering the wheels by hand. If they are really difficult to steer by hand with the weight of the vehicle off the wheel the issue is likely one or more of the ball joints. And any with torn boots are going to degrade more quickly than you'd like and really should be replaced anyway.
-Rod
What I'd suggest you try next is to release the outer tie rod ends from the spindles, then try the experiment of turning the steering with the truck running to see if it is smooth and easy that way. If so, then try steering the wheels by hand. If they are really difficult to steer by hand with the weight of the vehicle off the wheel the issue is likely one or more of the ball joints. And any with torn boots are going to degrade more quickly than you'd like and really should be replaced anyway.
-Rod
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